Under 10 Challenge Match: Eire Og 4-5 St Galls 5-6

 

Eire Og took to the pitch at Rathmore sporting their new rig, sponsored by ‘All Time Grates’, against St Galls. Both teams started this match brightly, but St Galls gradually took a grip on the game with Rory McKeown dominating the midfield and contributing to their all round great first half performance. Eire Og managed to stay in touch with scores from Gavin Bradley and Oisin Rodgers.

The second half was a different story though, as Eire Og upped their performance and matched St Galls in every area of the pitch. Gavin Bradley and Joe O’Neill in midfield along with Emmet Cummings, Conor McCann, Conor Cochrane and Paddy Cunningham all had great performances. Steven Brown, marking McKeown brilliantly during the second half, had a great game along with Steven McCaffrey, Oisin Rodgers, Ciaran McAreavy and Eimear Rice. The whole team gave 100% and in particular, dominated the St Galls half forward line, setting up constant attacks on the St Galls goal. It was not to be though as St Galls registered some more scores to keep the distance between the teams.

 

There was great difficulty picking the man of the match after the second half performance of the Ogs, as numerous players stood out – Oisin Rodgers, Gavin Bradley and Emmett Cummings all being close contenders – but in the end, it was given to Steven Brown who marked St Galls danger man out of the game.

Aldergrove Under 10 Tournament

 

Jack McCartan Under 10 Tournament

 

Recognition of Eire Óg ‘s continuing improvement at underage level saw them placed in the Cup competition of the tournament. On a very cold and wet Saturday Eire Óg won 3 out of their 4 matches to progress to the semi finals. Match reports below.

 

Eire Óg 2-3 v St Paul’s 1-0
Éire Óg started off well against what was a big St Paul’s side. In midfield Josh Murray and Gerard Meehan soon got the upper hand and were able to supply good quality ball to the full forward line where Ciaran Rice, Aidan McGarrity and Chris Harrison were giving their markers at torrid time. Early dominance was rewarded with points from Harrison and Rice, but it was a well-taken goal by Gerard Meehan that set the Ógs on their way. In defence Steven McCaffrey at full back was outstanding while the half back line of Steven McGuigan, Steven Carson and Conor Cochrane were well on top. With only 10 minutes each half the Ógs had to ensure they got the scores and with Kevin McKenna slotting another goal in after half time there was no looking back.

 

Eire Óg 1-3 v Lámh Dearg 1-2
This was much tougher game for the young Ógs with Lámh Dearg having some fine individual players on show. Despite early pressure, which saw Lámh Dearg race into a 2 point lead, the Ógs kept the heads and through some excellent defending from Conor McKenna, supported well by Ciaran McAreavy and Steven McCaffrey were able to stay in the match. With Steven McGuigan at half back and Aidan McGarrity at half forward starting to pick up a lot of loose ball around the middle of the park, the Ógs were soon able to play some nice football. Fine points from O’Neill and McKenna after the restart saw the Ógs come back into the game and this was topped with a fine goal from Chris Harrison. The Ógs held on to their slender lead to claim their second victory of the day.

 

Eire Óg 0-2 v St Galls 2 –3
The Ógs faced tournament favourites St Galls in their next match and despite holding them to just a point in the first half, St Galls ran out comfortable winners in the end. The Ógs played their heart out in the first half with Steven Carson and Conor Cochrane excellent in defence. At midfield Gerard Meehan and Conor McKenna won plenty of possession, but a very strong St Galls defence ensured our forward line were restricted to just one point. In the second half St Galls took control of the game and despite valiant defending by Steven McGuigan and Steven McCaffrey, St Galls were able to take some fine scores and this victory.

 

Eire Óg 2-3 v Sarsfields 0-1
In the last match of the day the Ógs ran out easy winners against Sarsfields. Eimear Rice, Jamie Loughran, and Chris Harrison were in excellent form up front and were able to take some fine points. Goals from Gerard Meehan and Paddy Cunningham ensured the Ógs recorded another victory.

 

Cup Semi Final
Éire Óg 0-0 v St Johns 3-3
The Ógs were simply overwhelmed in this semi final. The Johnnies were much bigger physically and through some excellent use of the ball well able to take some excellent scores. To their credit however, the Ógs never gave up and some excellent defending from Joe O’Neill and Paddy Cunningham meant that the game wasn’t all one way traffic. Only some poor shooting from the Ógs meant that they failed to a register a score. Overall however, while they were soundly beaten, the Ógs did very well in this tournament and with most of the team available for next year the signs are promising.